Shelbourne -v- Finn Harps

• Niall Farrell
• Thu, Sep 16 2010


Shelbourne will look to continue their fine form tomorrow night when they welcome Finn Harps to Tolka Park (kick-off 8pm).

The Reds haven't lost in five league matches, while their Donegal opponents got a highly creditable draw last week against Limerick.

Harps have a big problem in attack though, and this season only bottom-of-the-table Salthill Devon have scored fewer goals. Manager James Gallagher acknowledges that Harps haven't had the best season but says he was pleased with the draw last week.



Shelbourne fans cheering on their side in Tolka Park (Image by Fergus McNally)


“Things haven’t been going as well as we would’ve liked but that was a great example of what it takes to grind out a result. That’s a team going for promotion and we had to battle with them... For me, it was a typical First Division game. Everyone demands results and performances and against Limerick there was a lot of pleasing aspects.

We competed all over the pitch and there was a good work ethic from the start till the end. We were a little more comfortable after the break and were wary of them getting in behind. That’s what they do and we spoke about it before the game and in that respect it was a little disappointing to concede the way in which we did, but there were a lot of good performances there.”

Should Limerick or Waterford United drop points tomorrow night, Shels could move from fifth place into fourth or third. Last week, the Reds had to come from behind to beat Longford away from home 3-1.

James Gallagher was wary of the threat posed by a resurgent Shels, stating that it is a must-win match for the Drumcondra side. “It will be a tough game, but it’s a good one for us to get up for.

It’s a proper stadium and good pitch down there at Tolka. They have a new manager installed in Alan Matthews and they seemed to have pushed on to getting just outside the play-off spots. From their point of view, it’s a must win game. But I expect us to be fully up for the challenge and bring the game to them.”

Alan Mathews welcomes back David Cassidy from suspension. There were a number of Shelbourne players injured in the game last week and their inclusion for this game will be decided closer to kick-off on Friday.

Shelbourne
Injured: Unavailable
Doubtful: Unavailable
Suspended: None

Finn Harps
Injured: Michael Funston (ribs), Chris Breen (shoulder)
Doubtful: Ciaran Gallagher, Raymond Foy, Gary Merritt
Suspended: Davitt Walsh, Tony Shields

Referee: G. Kelly
Paddypower.com Odds: Shels 4/7 Draw 12/5 Harps 9/2
Extratime.ie Prediction: 2-0 to Shelbourne